Various Assemblages: February Edition 2020
Nestled in the heart of Massachusetts lies Old Sturbridge Village, a living history museum that offers a captivating glimpse into rural New England life during the 1800s. The museum, founded by industrialist Albert B. Wells in 1946, has grown over the years to become a national institution, housing an extensive collection of over 40,000 artifacts.
Wells, an avid collector, developed a significant collection of 19th-century American antiques and antiquities that reflect the material life of rural New England. His passion for antiques led him to establish the museum, with the aim of preserving and illustrating this bygone era.
In 1935, Wells formed the Wells Historical Museum, a not-for-profit trust, to safeguard his collection. The museum's Research Library, containing more than 35,000 printed documents, focuses on the history and material life in rural New England.
Wells and his brothers purchased the old farm in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, known as the Ballard place, to establish Old Sturbridge Village. In 1936, he hired an architect to design gallery buildings to better display his treasures.
The museum's tour includes displays of antiques and tools arranged in new and restored old buildings. Some of the buildings visitors can explore include the Fitch House, Grist Mill, Richardson House, Parsonage, Parsonage Barn, Miner Grant Store, Dennison Schoolhouse (now the Child's World exhibit), Firearms exhibit, Shoe Shop, a sawmill, and blacksmith shop. The Quinebaug River runs through the village, providing the necessary waterpower.
The museum's collection includes a wide variety of items, from spinning wheels and rolling pins to baskets, butter molds, wooden bowls, apple peelers, mouse traps, wrought iron hinges, painted country furniture, and more.
In 2017, Old Sturbridge Village received a grant to migrate to a new collections database and create a new online collections portal, making the entire collection and Research Library accessible online when the project is completed.
Old Sturbridge Village was established to recreate life as it was in Colonial New England, focusing on the tools of the trade. Over the last 75 years, the village has grown to include additional structures and outfitted objects, offering visitors a unique and immersive experience.
Today, Old Sturbridge Village stands as a testament to Albert B. Wells' vision and dedication. It has assembled one of the largest collections of materials documenting everyday life in early 19th-century rural New England, providing a valuable resource for historians, educators, and the general public alike.
- Albert B. Wells, during his lifetime, amassed an extensive collection that spanned fashion-and-beauty items, food-and-drink tools, home-and-garden essentials, and educational materials, reflecting the diverse lifestyle of rural New England in the 1800s.
- In the realm of entertainment, Old Sturbridge Village offers live demonstrations of various trades, including blacksmithing and sawmilling, transporting visitors back to the bygone era and providing an engaging experience.
- Travelers seeking to delve deeper into education-and-self-development can explore the museum's Research Library, containing over 35,000 documents focusing on the history and material life of rural New England, offering valuable resources for both scholarly research and personal growth.
